Belly Laughs is to pit the pick of local comic talent against some of the biggest national names in comedy, including Ardal O'Hanlon.

Now in its fourth year, the laughter festival is the largest of its kind in Ireland.

And one of the themes this time is pure clowning around, with the US cult artist Red Bastard appearing in the province for the first time.

Festival director Peter O'Neill promises something for everyone. For example, there's the Comedy Bus Tour where visitors get the chance of an alternative view of Belfast hosted by city-based comedian Paddy McDonnell "showing the funnier side of the city's sights with a few surprises along the way".

Critically-acclaimed stand-ups including Daniel Sloss, Sara Pascoe and Diane Morgan - some of them just fresh from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe - are to appear along with home-grown laughter-makers Tim McGarry, Nuala McKeever, Paul Currie and Neil Dougan.

There will also be workshops on comedy writing at the event, which runs from September 23 until October 4.

Belfast Telegraph

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